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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Opus 2016-331: Monday Pulpit: Joy to the World?

I think I am going to need to move to the front row if I want to be able to worship.  The other people in the congregation are very distracting.  It isn’t because they are standing on  their heads or picking their nose.  Usually it is because they are doing nothing.  Sunday we were singing “Joy to the World”.  I was into the words, “No more let sin and sorrow grow...” and I glanced to the left where a group of high school students were standing.  There were six of them.  None of them were even trying to sing.  There were six sets of eyes, glassed over and staring at nothing.  This during “Joy to the World” on the third Sunday of Advent.

I work with kids.  I see them bumping and jiving at the more boring drum beat.  I see them going through the entire routine of a music video that is making the rounds.  And here stand six young minds of mush with vacant faces in the midst of the celebration of the incarnation.  That got me looking around and I noticed how many adults were just standing there like someone was trying to sell them life insurance.  I could understand that look while a very mediocre choir worked through a dull piece of music.  I could see it during the offering.  I could even see it during “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”.  I can’t understand it during “Joy to the World”.

I continue to enjoy the Christmas season.  I sing along with the songs I know and rejoice that in the fullness of time, God sent His son.

Consider,
No more let sin and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
If that doesn’t rock your boat maybe it is time to start bailing.

homo unius libri

2 comments:

  1. I'm sure half the folks in church don't know any hymns from heart and are too lazy to follow along in the hymnal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If they didn't get into their own "music" so much I would think it was just a lack of a music gene but I am afraid sloth is the bigger culprit.

      Grace and peace.

      Delete

Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.